Harold Robinson has been around football his entire life. He spent 24 years as the head coach at Williamston High School (now Riverside) and has been part of East Carolina’s staff.

Now Robinson wants to give back. He’s teaming up with the likes of Washington native and former NFL receiver Terrance Copper, and another local distinguished coach in DeWayne Kellum to put on a football clinic at Athletic Edge this weekend. Former ECU defensive coordinator Rick Smith will also be on hand.

The clinic is open to young players in grades 3 through 6 on Saturday from 1:30 – 4 p.m. High-school aged players from grades 7 through 12 will get instruction from 1:30 – 5 p.m.

It didn’t take much mulling over. Robinson still loves the game. He wanted to find a way to take his coaching abilities and give back.

“I was sitting at home with nothing to do,” Robinson said. “I figured the only thing I really know how to do is coach football. I felt that if I could do something to help give back to the game that was good for me — help the kids — then it could be a win-win for everybody.”

The clinic will take place in Washington, but Robinson is expecting young players from Beaufort County and surrounding areas. He said there has been interest from Ayden-Grifton, Kinston, Havelock and other high schools.

Saturday’s attendance may be more localized. The focus is going to be much more fundamental: stance, alignment, and how to lineup, Robinson said.

“They’ll learn how to say ‘yes sir, no sir, thank you, and please,’” he said. “We’ll talk to them about the importance of grades. Then, for the older kids, you can also talk about the recruiting process and the importance of grades.”

For the older group, Robinson knows how much goes into building a quality football player. That’s why he wants to also focus on off-the-field matters like nutrition.

“They’re getting ready to go into spring practices. I’m hoping they can pick up a few things that would make them better players,” Robinson said.

The objective is to build this into something that will help build up football in Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina. Robinson also said there have been talks of starting a clinic for coaches.

Robinson also admitted that keeping himself busy was also a motive.

“If I didn’t start umpiring, I was about to go crazy,” he joked.